Trollin' the Mitten

https://www.facebook.com/kaitlyn.bess.riel/

Sherrie's Cherries

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0400

It’s a Michigan podcast, we’ve gotta do a cherry episode! This week, Aral is joined by talented actress, singer, comedian and teaching artist, Kaitlyn Bess Reil who brought her own character…and boyfriend…onto the show! Kaitlyn plays the titular “Sherri,” and my surprise guest, Austin Fajnor, plays “Buck.” You’re gonna love this couple as much as they love each other! Enjoy the completely scripted interview with Sherri’s Cherries!

https://www.instagram.com/kaitlyn.bess.riel

https://www.youtube.com/@kaitlynbessriel

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Stephanie Nichols Theatre Credits and Profile

It's All Dutch to Me With Margie Klüte

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Aral convinces his communications professor, Catherine Palomino, to be on the show! It doesn’t hurt that she’s an incredibly funny stand-up comedian as well! 🤣 Cayte lives in Grand Rapids, so she has chosen to play a wedding planner from the completely fictional 37th Reformed Church of Hudsonville, to help elucidate for all of us the rich complexity of West Michigan's Dutch Reform Community. Enjoy!

Follow Cayte on instagram: @whosyourpal

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Website: Aral Gribble

Instagram: Gribbles 'n' Bits

YouTube: Trollin' the Mitten

Back in Time with Huckster Mary Judge

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0400

This episode uses the magic of radio to transport listeners to the Detroit Central Market circa 1888, where Aral introduces you to both one of the most accomplished entrepreneurs of the Market, AND the accomplished actress who plays her at Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village, the incomparable Ms. Stephanie Nichols. Ms. Nichols is an award-winning actress who, after graduating from Michigan State University, has performed professionally in the Detroit area, across the country, and internationally! She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, and we are PROUD that she drove up to the LCC studios in the Summer of 2024, on a day when she wasn’t sweating in a corset under 90° heat to record this episode! It just took Aral a while to edit. Enjoy!

Steph's facebook

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Canadian Invasion

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Aral plays ALL the characters on the show…again! This is a rare (slightly) scripted episode of the show, due to the fact that Aral thought improvising against himself might prove a bit too confusing, especially since this was one of the first episodes he recorded! In a direct response to the xenophobic propaganda about immigrants, this episode imagines what happens when a unit of the Michigan Militia starts preparing for an invasion…over our NORTHERN border! After the episode, enjoy another commercial parody inspired by a local car salesman. Thanks for listening!

Aral’s website: https://aralgribble.weebly.com/

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https://www.instagram.com/katherinekujala

Frankenmuth's Sue St. Marie

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0400

In Episode 10, Aral heads to Frankenmuth and visits Sue’s Antiques — curated, guarded, and passionately run by the incomparable Miss Sue St. Marie (played by actress / singer / part-time Disney Princess Katy Kujala).PLUS: a surprise special character dropping into the episode to escalate the chaos. Frankenmuth meets absurdism meets Michigan folklore meets comedy.

Follow Katy Kujala:

https://www.facebook.com/katherine.kujala/

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Michigan Cuisine with Chef Duponte

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Comedian / actress / voice over artist Angela Dawe joins the pod playing the extremely fancy, hyper-elite gourmand: Chef Duponte. Together, Aral and Chef Duponte sample, debate, and dramatically judge some iconic Michigan staples. What ensues is improv gold, guaranteed to give your gut ALL the feelings!!!

Follow Angela Dawe:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-dawe-a53a46178/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3151087/

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Cornhole Extreme!

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Aral reports from Grand Rapids at the "Michigan Monsters Warehouse", where "professional cornholers" discuss their rigorous training techniques and dedication to perfecting the game of cornhole. This episode features the improv stylings of J.J. Snooks as Jake Burgess and Case Lamphere as his teammate, Dave Sunderland.

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From Thumb Loss to Touchdowns: Coach Butch Swindell Tells Some Tall Tales

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Join TTM for a hilarious improv journey as Aral interviews coach Butch Swindell, played by Christopher Foster. Discover how a freak accident led Coach B.S. to switch from an aspiring career as a star quarterback to become the "beloved" coach of a local middle school football team.

YouTube: Chris Foster

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2024 Election Special

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Get ready for a hilariously absurd journey into the world of canvassing and local politics with guest Mark Gmazel as Aral interviews his original character, Darrell Kingman, "The Michigan Leftist". This episode dives into the quirky and often ridiculous aspects of political engagement, showcasing Kingman's passion for volunteering with a comedic twist. From his unconventional beginnings as a child orphaned on a boxcar to his relentless canvassing for candidate Ella Nicotine, Darrell shares his unique take on civic duty. Listeners will be entertained by the improvised banter and the absurdity of the situations that unfold as Darrell navigates the streets of Howell, Michigan, trying to connect with constituents. With humor and heart, this episode highlights the importance of getting involved in local politics, all while keeping the laughter rolling.

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Website: The Dance Studio Charlotte

Big Lug…?

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode, the incomparable Catherine Diebold joins the podcast as Lansing’s favorite fuzzy dino, “Big Lug,” the mascot for Lansing’s minor league baseball team, the Lugnuts…sort of. Both for legal and comedic reasons, Catherine has adeptly created a character that is nothing short of an enigma, living in a space of ambiguity when it comes to identity. Catherine Diebold is another LCC Alumni, and a professional dancer and teaching artist. She and her mother, Vicki (who teaches Dance at LCC), run “The Dance Studio” in Charlotte, MI.

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Tip-up Town, USA

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

This is the first, and one of the few pre-scripted episodes of Trollin’ we've made! Mainly due to the fact that Aral couldn’t find a guest this week, he plays both himself, and our guest, “Chunk Chumley,” an aging yet innovative Ice Fisherman as they visit an unseasonably warm Houghton Lake during their iconic ice fishing festival. Which is all the more reason why if you’re an actor and/or comedian who’d like to be on the show, please reach out to us and let us know!

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Jason Walters and Friends

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

This episode brings Rico Bruce Wade onto the podcast as a “Perpetual Re-brander” from Downtown Lansing, MI. This is also the first interview where we pretended to record “on location,” and I was able to put to good use all those audio editing skills I’ve learned here at MSU to create a “Theatre of the Mind,” transporting all of us to the less-than-bustling downtown region (it was after 5pm.) It’s also the first time my talented guest goes above and beyond, playing multiple characters at the same time! Once again, for more about the incomparable Rico Bruce Wade, visit ricoshow.com. And if you’re an actor and/or comedian who’d like to be on the show, reach out to us and let us know!

Website: The Rico Show

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Clint Falsehood

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Aral invites fellow DMAC student Jimmy Green onto the show for the full Trollin’ Treatment! Listen to what might be the worst Yooper accent ever heard on a Michigan podcast! If you love Jimmy as much as we do, follow his “Man on the Street” Instagram, @jimbo_verde, and enjoy the show!

Instagram: Jimmy Green

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